Jack Dunigan

Author, consultant, and trainer of leaders

For more than four decades, Jack Dunigan has been leading, consulting, training, and writing. His experience is varied and comprehensive. His training and consulting clients are as varied as the Chief Justice of the Navajo Supreme Court to a top-rated campsite management company. But his advice is not merely academic. His blog, www.ThePracticalLeader.com, is focused on practical advice for leaders and managers of businesses, corporations, nonprofit agencies, families, organizations, departments, anywhere and anytime a person leads others. His latest book is Three Absolutely Necessary, Always Present Skills of an Effective, Successful Leader (CreateSpace Independent Publishing, 2012).

Wed, 01/16/2013 - 09:37
The Power of Example Two reasons why it’s imperative that we practice what we preach
Tue, 10/08/2013 - 14:23
“He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.”—Francis Bacon You can get to the top…
Teachability Make these mentoring attributes part of your training methodology
Thu, 08/22/2013 - 15:52
Editor’s note: This continues Jack Dunigan’s series about unsung heroes in the workplace, and the 16 traits they all share. What is the purpose in employing associates? They are brought on board to extend your reach, multiply your effectiveness,…
Nice Cooperation and courtesy are hallmarks of this trait
Thu, 08/22/2013 - 13:09
Editor’s note: This continues Jack Dunigan’s series about unsung heroes in the workplace, and the 16 traits they all share. A few years ago it was my privilege to officiate at the memorial service of an old friend. The family did not want a…
Initiative Leave workers with initiative be, or they’ll be gone
Fri, 08/09/2013 - 16:21
Editor’s note: This continues Jack Dunigan’s series about unsung heroes in the workplace, and the 16 traits they all share. Many potential employers put this requirement directly in their help-wanted ads: “Must be a self-starter.” This is,…
The Gentle Side of Force Eight leadership skills I learned from my friend the horse whisperer
Wed, 07/31/2013 - 13:08
My friend Steve is a horse whisperer, was one long before Robert Redford made the label famous. Steve’s been a cowboy forever, a genuine, sure ’nuff, tall-in-the-saddle, hand-me-that-rope cowboy. He knows his way around a horse, knows how to care…
Learnability Valuable employees can read the ground, learn what it says, and respond appropriately
Wed, 07/24/2013 - 14:10

Editor’s note: This continues Jack Dunigan’s series about unsung heroes in the workplace, and the 16 traits they all share. Life teaches us a lot of lessons. Some people learn slowly. Some not at all. It’s a sad fact that most of us never…
Stewardship No matter who signs the paycheck, you’re always working for yourself
Tue, 07/16/2013 - 10:04
Editor’s note: This continues Jack Dunigan’s series about unsung heroes in the workplace, and the 16 traits they all share. One stormy night many years ago, a man and his wife entered the lobby of a small hotel in Philadelphia. Trying to get out of…
Truthfulness Honest employees make the company strong
Tue, 07/09/2013 - 15:18
Editor’s note: This continues Jack Dunigan’s series about unsung heroes in the workplace, and the 16 traits they all share. The tasks of evaluation, decision making, and determining action are continually recurring for leaders and managers. We…
Skills and Temperament Determine the type of worker best suited for a position, and hire accordingly
Fri, 06/21/2013 - 16:44
Editor’s note: This continues Jack Dunigan’s series about unsung heroes in the workplace, and the 16 traits they all share. When I lived in the Virgin Islands, I learned that almost all luxury yachts in the world are finished by women… and the…
Sensitivity A sensitive employee is one who can discern and respond to subtlety
Mon, 06/17/2013 - 13:15
Editor’s note: This continues Jack Dunigan’s series about unsung heroes in the workplace, and the 16 traits they all share. This may seem like an unusual or even inappropriate trait, and I want to be clear from this first sentence that I am not…